Recoil mitigating apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for reduction of recoil in for example a ballistic system. In one embodiment, the ballistic system comprises a firearm such as a rifle or handgun, and the apparatus includes a momentum or energy capture device. The capture device utilizes the recoil of e.g., the bolt of the firearm to drive a compensating mechanism such as a flywheel, which compensates for at least some of the recoil.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/832,004 filed Jun. 6, 2013 of the same title, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

1. Technological Field

This disclosure relates primarily to the field of ballistic or similar projecting or projectile technologies, such as for example firearms technology, and in one exemplary aspect relates to the capture of energy or momentum to, inter alia, reduce recoil within a ballistic system.

2. Description of Related Technology

Ballistic systems such as e.g., firearms, cannons, “recoil-less” rifles, missile systems, and even electromagnetic rail guns may often produce the unwanted byproduct of recoil or associated effects.

There is a large field of art related to reducing recoil by increasing the length of its impulse. This is typically implemented by special springs that either increase the movement distance of the chamber (in a rifle application) or smooth the rearward acceleration of the rifle.

Another method that is employed for this purpose is the cushioning of the stock, which essentially acts the same way that the spring does, and distributes the force over a longer period of time (and larger area in some cases).

However, in such designs, the total amount of recoil that the shooter experiences is typically unchanged; rather it is just delayed or distributed more smoothly.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the disclosure, recoil reduction apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a flywheel is used to “absorb” or otherwise counteract recoil. In one variant, the flywheel is disposed in an unused portion of a host apparatus (e.g., firearm), such as in the stock.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes: an energy source configured to produce energy, the source deriving at least a portion of the energy based at least in part on the movement of a mass resulting from the expulsion of a projectile or ballistic mass; and an energy sink in communication with the energy source, the sink configured to utilize at least a portion of the energy from the source to reduce or compensate for recoil generated by the expulsion.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, a ballistic device with recoil reduction apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a firearm (e.g., rifle, shotgun, or handgun) with recoil reduction capabilities in the form of a flywheel and flywheel energy source.

In a third aspect, a recoil-based energy or momentum source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a magnetic induction device whereby movement of a component (e.g., bolt of a firearm) is converted to electrical current, the latter being useful for e.g., charging a storage device, or accelerating a mass.

In a fourth aspect, an energy or momentum sink is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sink comprises a massive flywheel and motor arrangement, whereby electrical current accelerates the flywheel via the motor. The acceleration of the flywheel can be used to, inter alia, counteract recoil effects generated by e.g., a ballistic host device such as a firearm.

In a fifth aspect, a method of reducing recoil in a ballistic system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: initiating an expulsion of a ballistic projectile; capturing energy or momentum associated with the expulsion; and utilizing at least a portion of the captured energy or momentum to counteract at least a portion of a recoil force associated with the expulsion.

In a sixth aspect, a controller for use in controlling a ballistic recoil reduction system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the controller comprises computerized logic (e.g., a computer program running on a microcontroller or digital processor) configured to “intelligently” manage the operation of the recoil compensation apparatus. In one variant, the logic is configured to control the application of electrical current to a motor of the recoil compensation mechanism, so as to optimize the compensation for recoil, or one or more other parameters of interest.

In a seventh aspect, a recoil compensation mechanism for use in e.g., a ballistic system is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a high-level abstraction of a first embodiment of a recoil-mitigating apparatus consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 a is graphical representation of one exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the components thereof.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of a second embodiment of a recoil-mitigating apparatus consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of a third embodiment of a recoil-mitigating apparatus consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary implementation of a method of compensating for recoil in a ballistic system.

All Figures © Copyright 2013-2014 Gregory Palmer. All rights reserved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Overview

The present disclosure describes, inter alia, apparatus and methods for mitigating or eliminating recoil in e.g., ballistic systems such as firearms, missile launchers, artillery, and the like. It can be used for, among other things, rifles, handguns, cannons, or any device where recoil is unwanted and/or disruptive.

At a high level, exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the disclosure convert energy/work or momentum that is normally absorbed by a ballistic system (and in some cases the user thereof) to another form, such as kinetic energy or angular momentum of a moving mass, or potential energy. In one embodiment, the momentum of a ballistic projectile (e.g., bullet) is conserved in the momentum of a bolt in communication therewith, and the momentum of the bolt is transformed into kinetic energy/momentum of a flywheel rotating around an axis. The rotation of the flywheel is used in one variant to compensate for or counteract the off-axis rotation induced by recoil of the bolt within the firearm.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods are now described in detail. While these exemplary embodiments are described in the context of the aforementioned ballistic device or system (e.g., a firearm, cannon, missile or rocket launcher, electromagnetic rail gun, crossbow or other potential energy releasing system), the general principles and advantages of the present disclosure may be extended to other types of systems or application, whether ballistic or otherwise, the following therefore being merely exemplary in nature. For instance, it will be readily recognized that the methods and apparatus described herein could be used for spin stabilization or the like in space-based systems.

Theory

When a mass is accelerated either linearly or angularly, another mass must accelerate oppositely in order to observe the relevant laws of physics (e.g., the principle of conservation of momentum). In the example of a handgun expelling a bullet, the gun has both linear and angular motion imparted on it by the linear movement of the bullet, and hence the recoil felt by the gun as the bullet is expelled, is both linear and angular with respect to the gun's center of mass (as long as the center of mass is not in line with the bullet's initially straight path). Because the bullet is moving angularly with respect to the gun's center of mass (and hence the recoil is applied similarly), the gun must move angularly as well. This explains the tendency for a gun's “nose” to lift or rise on each shot. Some of the recoil energy of the gun will also be converted to linear momentum, tending to push the gun backwards towards the user.

It is also well known that an electric potential (and hence current) is generated in a conductor when that conductor is moved relative to a magnetic field (or alternatively, the field is moved/varied relative to the conductor), according to the well known Lorentz equations; e.g.:

F=qv×B,

Hence, a magnetized component moving through a properly oriented conductive coil will generate an electric current in the coil, or conversely, an electrical current applied to the coil will force the magnetized component to move relative to the coil (aka, a solenoid).

Exemplary Recoil Reduction Apparatus Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure make use of the gun's angular motion by employing a flywheel or other massive component that is centered off of the bullet's initial trajectory, and accelerating the flywheel in the same direction as the recoil caused by the bullet's acceleration (such as by using an electric motor, or other motive force). This acceleration, through conservation of angular momentum, puts a torque on the gun, which at least partly cancels or offsets the torque applied by the recoil from expulsion of the bullet.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a first embodiment of the recoil reduction apparatus is described. In the first embodiment, the recoil is “captured” by a magnetic piston or bolt 1 moving through densely coiled conductor (e.g., wire) 2; i.e., by way of magnetic induction and so-called Lorentz forces previously described. The current generated is then passed via conductors 4 to a compensation mechanism; e.g., used to power an electric motor 5 (such as for example a simple DC motor, although other types of motors such as synchronous or induction motors may be used with proper adaptation), which spins a massive flywheel 6. As discussed in greater detail infra, the spinning of the flywheel creates an angular momentum to counteract the effects of the bullet's recoil on the ballistic system (e.g., rifle or handgun).

In the exemplary context of a semi-automatic or fully-automatic rifle, the chamber bolt (i.e., that against which the rear of the bullet casing rests) moves back and forth in order to load another round, against the force of the spring 3. This movement of the bolt may be caused by the gas obtained from ignition of the projectile within the chamber (so-called “gas operated”), by virtue of a purely mechanical force or mechanism such as a spring, motor, air supply, hydraulic supply, etc., or combinations thereof. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-1A, the chamber bolt 1 is magnetic (e.g., by inclusion of a permanent magnet, such as from a ferrous material present within the bolt, or magnetization of the bolt material itself), and the walls that surround the chamber movement area are lined in or embedded with densely packed conductors such as wire 4 leading to the electric motor 5. The motor 5 powers the flywheel 6, disposed for example in the base of the rifle body, or the stock/handgrip area. In one exemplary variant, the flywheel is located in a cavity disposed at the center of mass (CM) of the rifle, such that the axis of rotation of the flywheel is exactly coincident with the axis of rotation of the rifle as a whole. In this fashion, maximal counteractive rotational force is applied by the flywheel as discussed below. It will be appreciated, however, that other locations may be used as well; these will typically tend to provide less counteractive rotational force, however. It is further noted that the CM of the system (e.g., rifle) can be adjusted to make the aforementioned axes coincident, such as e.g., by cooperation of the placement of the various components, and selection of materials/weights/densities of the firearm.

When the firearm is fired, the bolt in the chamber moves backwards, and induces a current in the coils 2, which travels to the motor 5 and powers the flywheel to spin (in the exemplary variant, towards the shooter, as shown in FIG. I). The acceleration of the flywheel causes the firearm to move downwards (rotate around the CM) at the same magnitude as the “kick” or recoil makes it move (rotate) up.

It will be recognized that the various attributes of the flywheel and its rotation (as well as the motor) may be controlled or designed such as to achieve the desired effect(s). For instance, the diameter, mass/weight distribution, rate of acceleration can be designed in order to optimize the counter-rotational force generated by the flywheel. In one variant, a very dense, massive and spatially compact flywheel is used in order to have minimal impact of the form factor of the host system (e.g., rifle). In another variant (where space is less of a concern), a larger diameter flywheel is used with the majority of its mass distributed around the periphery thereof, so as to maximize effect. In yet another variant, the motor and coupling to the flywheel are selected so as to accelerate the rotation of the flywheel (“spin up”) as rapidly as possible.

It will also be appreciated that the flywheel may, in certain variants, be purposely made asymmetrical, so as to counteract both rotational and linear momentum imposed by ejection of the projectile. For instance, in one such variant, a “teardrop” shaped mass is used, with small end used as a pivot or axis of rotation. The mass is aligned within the host device such that when the bullet is fired, the bolt recoils through its coil, creating a current to drive the motor, which then rotates the mass in the same direction as the bullet's direction of travel—and creates both a counter rotational (angular) momentum, as well as a counter-linear momentum, due to the imbalanced or asymmetric shape of the mass.

In one exemplary implementation, the point of rotation of the device experiencing the angular recoil is first selected. In the case of a handgun or similar, this point of rotation can be determined via the location of the center of mass (in the side plane of the handgun). The amount of additional mass and size the designer is willing to add to the system as a whole is then determined. The angular momentum that a given flywheel will have at a given rate of rotation is calculated, such as by use of the following equation:

L=I*ω

where L is angular momentum, I is moment of inertia, and ω is angular velocity. The component that is flywheel-dependent is moment of inertia. Moment of inertia can be calculated by, e.g, the well-known formula I=∫r2 dm, which can be simply expressed in a flywheel as I=mr2.

Once the flywheel mass and dimensions are chosen, the angular momentum to be counteracted is determined. In the exemplary case of a handgun or similar, this can be determined by measuring the angular velocity after the bullet is fired (co), and the weapon's moment of inertia (I). By multiplying the two quantities, one can determine the angular momentum that the flywheel will need to achieve to mitigate the angular recoil. If one takes the needed angular momentum and divides by the moment of inertia of the selected flywheel configuration, one can calculated the needed angular velocity of the flywheel. At this point, the method of powering the flywheel can be adjusted so that the flywheel accelerates to the needed angular velocity in a time that is faster than (or at least comparable in scale) the momentum is imparted to the system as whole.

Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the recoil reduction/compensation apparatus makes use of a mechanical system. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical energy from the recoil of the bolt spins the input mechanism 8 of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 and exit through the CVT's output 12 to power the flywheel 14 to spin about its axis 13. A device 15 roughly similar to a bicycle transmission is used as the connection between the weighted flywheel 6 and the CVT 10 in order to allow the flywheel to spin without affecting the system (i.e., allowing the flywheel to be able to spin freely in between shots while staying connected to the transmission).

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the apparatus; this embodiment utilizes fiber optics 20 or other information pathway located in the chamber to send information about the recoil acceleration to an integrated circuit (IC) or “chip” 23 that evaluates the necessary flywheel acceleration to counter the recoil, then causes signals to be generated 24 which control the supply to a motor 27 with power from an on-board battery or other energy source 25 to spin the flywheel 28. The IC may be for instance a microprocessor or digital processor with one or more computer programs running thereon enabled for indigenous control of the flywheel/motor functions. As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” are meant generally to include all types of digital processing devices including, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computer fabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributed across multiple components.

In another variant, the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 1A is merely controlled via the aforementioned arrangement; i.e., the motive source is the current generated by the coils/bolt, and the IC merely adjusts the operation of the motor/flywheel so as to optimize operation or produce a desired effect.

It will be further appreciated that various of the foregoing features may be used alone, or in combination with one another. For instance, the foregoing piston/spring arrangement may be used with the flywheel described previously, and so forth.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the method of compensating for one or more recoil-related effects, according to the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the method 40 includes first causing expulsion of a projectile such as a bullet from a ballistic system (step 42). Next, energy is generated from the expulsion per step 44. In one variant, this energy generation comprises generation of electrical current using e.g., the magnetized bolt/coil arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 1A. Lastly, per step 46, the energy is used to counter at least one effect related to the recoil of the projectile expulsion (e.g., causing the motor to use the current to spin the flywheel in the same direction as the bullet expulsion).

Benefits provided by the various embodiments/combinations of the present disclosure may include, without limitation:

-   -   allowing a shooter or operator to fire a second or subsequent         round more quickly since less re-positioning of the weapon/bore         is required;     -   allows for the second and subsequent shots to be placed more         consistently with predecessors, due to less required         repositioning of the bore;     -   reduction in bodily trauma to the user (including giving a         threatened user more security in protecting their possessions by         allowing multiple shots without fear of recoil/expectation of         trauma);     -   ostensibly allows for more accurate first shot from any weapon         by reducing the recoil that causes the weapon to rotate, thereby         avoiding perceived recoil and reducing operator apprehension         (i.e., the operator will tend to “squeeze” the trigger more than         jerk it, due to less anticipated recoil);     -   reduction of operating costs due to reduced number of shots         required to accurately hit the target;     -   reduction in the training time to have a user become prolific in         the use of the firearm—important for first responder, military         and other government or organization users; and     -   reduction in the cost/complexity of large projectile devices         like cannons—their recoil is large, and a large cost (and in         some cases weight/space requirement) is added for equipment to         reposition the cannon or portions thereof after the recoil from         a firing occurs.

It will be appreciated that due to e.g., energy loss in the wires and other imperfections in efficiency/translation of momentum/energy, the flywheel will never be powered with exactly the same energy as the recoiling bolt (which is necessarily less than the bullet due to other losses such as friction, heat, light radiation, etc.), but it is highly feasible to expect significant energy retention. In one variant, as more and more rounds are fired, the flywheel is accelerated to spin progressively faster, creating an increasing gyroscopic effect, making it harder rotate and more stable for aiming.

As for expelling the accumulated angular momentum in the flywheel, several options are envisaged. In one implementation, the ballistic system (e.g., rifle) includes a lever/switch that is used to selectively apply a braking system to the flywheel, thereby dissipating the energy in a slow, controlled fashion (such as through creation of friction or heat, much like a car's braking system). Alternatively, the braking system could be applied to the flywheel in a controlled fashion upon the occurrence of a given event; e.g., whenever the magazine is not attached (such as during reloading), or an accelerometer senses that the rifle has not been moved for an extended period (i.e., is not in use). As yet another alternative, the energy of the flywheel could be used to generate electrical current (i.e., use the motor as a generator), which could then be stored as chemical energy in a battery (and subsequently used to power ancillary devices, such as e.g., a night scope for the rifle), dissipated as heat and/or light (e.g., through a resistive heater, etc.), or stored as potential energy in a mechanism such as a spring.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the present disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the present disclosure and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the disclosure as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the ideas set forth herein. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the disclosure. 

What is claimed:
 1. Recoil effect mitigation apparatus, comprising: an energy source configured to produce energy, the source deriving at least a portion of the energy based at least in part on the movement of a mass resulting from the expulsion of a projectile or ballistic mass; and an energy sink in communication with the energy source, the sink configured to utilize at least a portion of the energy from the source to reduce or compensate for at least a portion of the recoil generated by the expulsion.
 2. A method of reducing recoil artifacts in a ballistic system, the method comprising: initiating an expulsion of a ballistic projectile; capturing energy or momentum associated with the expulsion; and utilizing at least a portion of the captured energy or momentum to counteract at least a portion of a recoil force associated with the expulsion. 